Plumb bob



Aprilzl 1925i 1,534,397 J. A. KLESLER I PLUMB BOB Original Filed Oct. 10, 1919 IIIIIII Arr ' h re/7 far":

Patented Apr. 21, 1925.

JOSEPH A. ntnsnnn, or POR LAND. OREGON,

lLUMB 3012.

Application fi led fietober 10, 1919, set-inn). 329,733. Renewed October 18,1922. Serial- No. 595,448.

had to the accon'ipanying drawing.

X of the detachable frame of my device which comprises the working parts thereof, and Qwhich, when assembled within the plumb My invention relatesto plumbbobs and has for its object theproduction of improvements in the device described by me in ll S. LettersPatent No. 1,286,023, dated November 26, 1918.

The improvement contemplated in -my present invention is to provide means for locking the suspension cord to my plumb bob at any length thereof desired, and indie pendently of the mechanism by which, as in my patent aforesaid, the cord is wound into the cavity of the plumbbob.

What constitutes my present invention will be hereinafter specified in detail and succinctly set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure I is a longitudinal central section bob proper, shown in Figure III, constitutes thecomplete device as shown in the last named figure.

Figure 11 is a transverse section on the line II II of Figure I.

Figure III is a side elevation of my device inpresent preferred form of embodi ment, shown as depending, as in use, from its suspension cord.

Referring to the numerals on the drawing, 1 indicates a plumb bob proper, which may be of any preferred weight, dimensions and exterior contour. upper end with a preferably cylindrical cavity into which is threaded, as by aid of screw threads 3, a frame comprising a cap 5 anda pair of legs 6.

The legs 6 accommodate between them a rotatable drum 7 as upon an arbor 8.

The drum is providedpreferably at one end with a gear 10 which meshes with a spur-gear 11 that is revoluble upon a studshaft 12.

The gear 11 is secured, as by pins 14, to i a beveled gear 15 that meshes with a b eveled gear 16. The gear 16 is coaxially threaded or otherwise secured to a tubular It is provided in its shaft 1'7 that provided, on its outer end,

with a preferably integral actuating-head 18, that is pierced by a continuation of the bore of the shaft 17.

Between the gear 16 and the cap 5 is interposed an expansive coiled spring 19 which is preferably let into a cavity 20 provided for it in the inner face of the cap 5 and its neck from which the legs (3 project. The function of the spring 19 is to compel normal engagement between the beveled gears 16 and '15 through thrust imparted to the gear 16 and shaft 17 to which said gear is secured, and atthe same time to keep I the head 18 pressed against a disk collar 21 surrounding the shaft 17 and interposed between the head 18 and the outer face of the cap 5.

.The elements above specified exemplify cord reelingmechanism, and are, in effect, with slight or immaterial variations, indicated in the drawing, the same as those shown and described in my Letters Patent aforesaid, and being described therein in detail do not require further explanation in my present application to which their rela tion is only incidental.

Coming now to specification of my presentinvention, 25 indicates a tubular extension projecting coaxially from the head 18, with which it is preferably integral. The bottom 26 of its bore is of truncately conical shape whose dimensions are such as to crowd the three balls 27 with which it is provided, towards its axis, into gripping engagement with the suspension cord 28, somewhat after the manner of and to the same effect as a pin vise. A plunger 29, headed to lit the bore of the extension 25, functions to urge the balls 27 into cooperation as specified under the force of a coiled spring 80 introduced between the head of the plunger 29 and the cap 31 threaded within the enlarged end of the bore of the extension 25. The plunger itself extends through the cap 31 and is provided with a coaxial bore 32 through which the suspension cord 28 of the plumb bob is fed between the balls 27.

The number of the balls 27 is preferably three, because that number functionates well, but a greater number could be used if desired.

The operation of my plumb bob is substantially the same as that described in my patent aforesaid.

In my present device, when the c0rd 28 is paid out or taken in to a desired length, the cap 31 is screwed down so that the balls 27 are caused to engage the cord 28 and hold it. As often as it is desired to run the cord free into or out of the plumb bob, the cap 31 may be loosened sufliciently to release the balls 27 and to permit the cord 28 to slip freely through the space between them; but always a pull of suilicient force upon the cord 28 against the power of the spring 80 will draw it out, despite the fact that the spring 30 be strong enough to sustain the weight of the plumb bob without slipping.

The presence of the extension 25 interferes in no wise with the operation of the means of disengagement between the gears 15 and 16, provided for by the pins in the head 18 which find accommodation ordinarily in sockets 36 in the disk collar 21.

hat I claim is:

1. In a plumb bob having cord reeling means, a cap having an aperture centrally through its top, a head, a shaft on said head extending through said aperture, a tubular extension on said head opposite to the shaft, the bottom of said tubular portion being tapered inwardly, means adapted to close the outer end of said extension, there being aligned bores through said shaft and closing means, balls seated in the tapered portion of said tubular extension, and means comprising a spring and plunger adapted to cooperate with said tapered portion and closing means to urge said balls inwardly whereby to grip a bob-supporting line passed through said bores.

2. In a plumb bob having cord reeling means, a cap having an aperture centrally through its top, a head, a shaft on said head extending through said aperture, a tubular extension on said head opposite to the shaft, the bottom of said tubular portion being tapered inwardly, means adapted to close the outer end of said extension, there being aligned bores through said shaft and closing means, balls seated in the tapered portion of said tubular extension, and means comprising a spring and plunger adapted to cooperate with said tapered portion, closing means to urge said balls inwardly whereby to grip a bob-supporting line passing through said bores, and means for regulating the force of the spring which actuates said plunger.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH A. KLESLER. Vitnesses Josnrrr L. ATKINS, JOHN B. CLELAND. 

